I. BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS (continued)

Breaks and Holidays

It is expected that full-time students receiving financial support from the University devote their entire professional efforts to research, teaching, and course work within the University. Students may not engage in outside employment of any kind without permission of the program director.

Students receiving stipends should note that normal academic breaks do not apply to graduate students. In particular, you are expected to be present during spring and fall break, and in the interterm periods following finals.

Graduate students on stipend should observe the following holidays: Thanksgiving and the following Friday, Christmas Eve through New Year's Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

Vacation time during periods that you are receiving financial support must be approved by your advisor. There is no official University policy on vacation time for graduate students, and the amount of time you receive is solely at the discretion of your advisor. Note that spring break and fall break are not vacation periods for graduate students.

Students who are paid as Teaching Assistants (TA) must be available throughout the semester, through the end of final exams, to support the courses for which they have responsibility. This includes fall and spring breaks, when you may need to assist with grading or course preparation. Any absence from campus by a TA during the semester must be approved in writing by the student’s research advisor, the instructor in the course for which the student is serving as a TA and the program director.